The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-07-30

parture. L arrived at the explanation by
degrees. 1t was Cup Day at Belminster,
and Lord Sanbar had not only fatty re-
fused to go himself, but had also declined
ION principle to allow his servants and
horses to take the Major. He had, no
doubt, gained moral victory; but it had
left him ill-tempered and restless, very bit
ter against the world and the things of it,
and determined to 90 back to town by the
evening train.
ave had very dull day together. |
was treated to one or two sour little SER
mons that ought by rights to have gone to
benefit the Major, but he was out of range
When l got tired of that sort of thing, l
produced, by way Of diversion, all the
proofs had printed of 'Pikey,' and per-
sisted in telling the story. The move was
successful. Gypsies and the pikey race
generally were class outside Lord Sand
bars previous experience, and he listened
greedily. Had l tried in any way to ex-
ert an influence for good over this one?
l confess that it hadn't occurred to me to
do SO. Had l not considered it an open
ing-a manifest opening? The boy had
feelings that might have been worked upon.
Lord Sandbar evidently regretted not hav-
ing been there with tract to try. He
seemed curiously attracted by the photo
graphs. He spread them out on the table
before him, and sat studying them in silence
for long time. wondered if the spell of
those gray eyes was ON him too
"'Would you like to see him? He
promised to come tonight Lord Sand
bar jumped at the notion. He would come
home with me on his way to the Daisycliffc
Station, and he went off to get his portman-
teau packed.
"Teresita was at the door waving to me
excitedly as we drove up. She hardly no.
ticed my companion. He has come
Come in See for yourself Eccolor
'Sure enough, there were his boots on
the mat, and there he was, several degrees
raggeder than before, but with {. new bright
orange scarf knotted around his neck dane
ing fandango with the baby.
"'Sarishan to your kokero ! he cried as
we entered, with grand flourish of the
battered old hat into which he had stuck
fine bunch ofred berries. We've biken,
ed the gry-sold the horse, and Michael
has given me my share Here it is-half
for YOU He restored the bambino to
Teresita, and with his little white teeth
undid knot in the corner of his necktie
and shook out little pile of sovereigns
and silver into my hand. is that enough?
"Then he put his arms akimbo, tossed
back the elhocks from his eyes, and stood
looking at Lord Sandbar with the full, in
nocent gaze of young kitten on its good
behavior
"'I don't want anything like this 7 1
exclaimed. Here, take it back. Keep it
for your mother
'I've enough-plenty. And 1 am 60
ing to her this very night. Prastee !
Good-nightr He made for the door, but
Lord Sandbar's great figure barred it.
"'How are you going, my boy? Shall
I drive you back to Belminster 2
"'I don't want to go back to Belmin-
ster,' Pikey answered pettishly. 4 can
start from here just as WELL
"' But where are you going?
No answer.
"'You will be always on the road Now
listen to me, like good boy
''Sandbar put his hand on the lads
shoulder. 1t was twisted away impatiently
what business is it of yours /? Pikey
demanded, with a vicious little snap, like
squirrel at bay. He looked wonderfully
handsome, to be sure. His great eyes
shone half fierce, half frightened; his cheeks
glowed through their tan, and all his small
white teeth CLEANED wickedly, ready to bite
This is Lord Sandbar, interposed
"a good friend to all poor boys like your
self. He wants to be kind to you if yor
will let him.
'Oh, he does, does he,' said Pikey
The queerest look passed over his face.
Lord Sandbar, he murmured thoughtfully
He had got clear of the restraining hand
and walked away from us all to the win
dow, where he stood in silence.
, sCan he have heard of me ? asked tn
Earl, with demure complacency. TtwoulC
be deeply, deeply gratifying
"Pikey's shoulders were shaking as i
with some suppressed emotion. Tercsit;
, stole up to him and laid her arm acros
them sympathiaingly. He looked up, anC
if the young villain wasn't exploding witt
laughter over some private joke; but Sand
bar noticed nothing. Let me talk to him,
he said, and called Teresita away and lef
them together.
"When we returned in few minute
the Earl was holding the boys arm with al
air of possession,
II am going to take Jake to his mother,
he announced. He will travel with me t.
} London tonight
| "'But you are boro GOrgiO and l an
| a poor Roman chdI-, Pikey began t,
/ protest; but Sandbar silenced him and bad,
5 him say goodbye to us all.
"Some unaccountable curiosity made M
t take the short cut to the station to see then
!, off.
t sThey had established themselves in
: first class carriage. Pikey, his rags con
! cealed under a sealskin-trimmed coat whic
i 1 recognized, was Nesting down under tn
great bearskin travelling rug, his eyes aligh
+ and his cheeks poppy red with excitement
d Lord Sandbar sat opposite, gazing-not t
d say gaping-down on his protege. ID
g looked bewildered, strangely stirred b
2 some novel emotion, absorbing, delicious
d incomprehensible. He could spare neithe
s word nor look for me.
s "'Kushto BakP cried Rikey, waving hi
e pretty brown hand.
!. "'The imp's been putting the cometht
1 over him, too, / said to myself, and the
e the train moved off and | lost sight Of m
J. Pikey forever"
:, Moroni came to full stop.
', ''Go on" / said impatiently.
n (Which do you want to hear2 How
went on and made my fortune, or the en-
20 of Lord Sandbar's adventure?"
d az know the end of your story. thin
is I'd rather go on with Lord Sandbar'
If Did he go to the dickens?"
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